Dustpan handle

ABSTRACT

This is a lobby dustpan handle which has a plurality of arcuate and straight segments resulting in a more effective and versatile utility of the dustpan and a broom used with the dustpan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] I. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is in the general field of janitorial services anddevices;

[0003] The invention is more particularly in the field of sweeping andcleaning floors and the like;

[0004] The invention is even most particularly in the field of animproved, novel and useful handle for dust pans and the like.

[0005] II. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] There has been much prior art in the field of dust pans and thelike. In particular of interest in connection with my present inventionthere have been various developments in handles for dust pans.

[0007] Examples of prior art dustpan handles which may be considered ofinterest as compared to my present invention include the followingUnited States Patents:

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,892: This is a device designed to be used asa cane and for collecting debris. While interesting and no doubt useful,this does not accomplish the benefits of my present invention, nor doesit suggest no anticipate it in this very crowded field.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,589: This handle is specifically designed toallow a janitor or the like to carry the dustpan by using theincorporated ridge to allow the dust pan to be carried over the arm of auser when moving from place to place. Although novel and useful, thisdevice cannot accomplish, and does not anticipate nor suggest my presentinvention;

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,871: This apparatus includes a forwardlyextending curved portion of a handle. Once again, it appears to be noveland useful, but, as with everything I have found, it does not accomplishthe desired objectives, and it does not anticipate nor suggest thedetailed and novel construction for the purposes desired andaccomplished by my present invention.

[0011] I have been unable to find any prior art as to the unique, novel,useful handle I have invented, and I do not know of any prior art whichteaches or suggests my present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] I have been involved in janitorial services and in themanufacture of janitorial products for many years. From time to time Ihave invented different janitorial implements and systems. I haveobserved that a frequently and universally used device is the simpledustpan, especially the type dustpan which is sometimes referred to as a“lobby dustpan”.

[0013] Lobby dustpans normally have an elongated handle with provisionsfor a short handled broom to be attached for transport and storage. Thecustomary and most frequently seen lobby dustpans have straight handles,with a variety of means to attach and carry a broom. The attachment ofthe broom sometimes interferes with convenient transport and can causeinadvertent spilling of the contents of the dust pan.

[0014] I have now designed a handle for a lobby dustpan whichfacilitates control of the dustpan and largely eliminates the danger ofinadvertent spills. It also makes transport of the dustpan itself andthe broom more efficient. Lastly, it makes storage of the device quitesimple and useful.

[0015] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and usefullobby dustpan handle;

[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handlewhich virtually eliminates inadvertent spillage from the dustpan;

[0017] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handlewhich makes the attachment of a broom more effective.

[0018] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thedescription of a preferred embodiment, which follows, in conjunctionwith a review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a preferred embodiment ofa lobby dustpan incorporating the novel and useful handle of thisinvention and carrying a broom;

[0020]FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 except that the broom is showndetached from the handle; and

[0021]FIG. 3 is a section on 3-3 on FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] An inventory of items in the drawings with reference numerals is:Numeral Item 10 handle generally 11 fifteen inch straight segment 12 oneand one-half inch arcuate segment on two and one-half inch radius 13four inch straight segment 14 five inch arcuate segment on two andone-half inch radius 15 two and one-half inch straight segment 16 handgrip 17 clip to hold broom handle 18 rivet 19 dustpan 20 broom generally21 hand grip 22 broom shaft 23 broom bristles

[0023] A handle 10 made of any suitable material (I prefer aluminumtubing, although any other material, including, without limitation,wood, which can be shaped as described below and shown in the drawingmay be used) is fastened to a customary dust pan collector unit 19 bymeans known to those skilled in the art. One method is by a rivet (notshown, but understood by those skilled in the art).

[0024] The handle 10 has been formed in a very precise manner in orderto achieve the desired results. Straight segment 11 is fifteen incheslong. A one and one-half inch long arcuate segment 12 on a two andone-half inch radius is a transition to a four inch long straightsegment 13 at a fifteen degree angle to the axis of straight segment 11.A four and one-half inch arcuate segment 14 on a two and one-half inchradius connects segment 13 to a one and one-half inch straight terminalsegment 15 the axis of which is at a 90 degree relation to the axis ofsegment 11. Hand grip 16 formed of soft plastic or the like slips overthe upper end of the handle as will be understood by those skilled inthe art.

[0025] A broom generally 20 consists of a broom shaft 22 with plasticgrip 21 and bristles 23 as will be understood by those skilled in theart. When not being used to sweep material into the dustpan the broomhandle 22snaps into clip17 which is attached to handle segment 14 byrivet 18. This feature is important, since other arrangements forholding brooms in cooperation with dustpan handles usually arecumbersome and make the transport of the items together clumsy oruncomfortable.

[0026] While the embodiment shown and described is fully capable ofachieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be understoodthat such embodiment has been shown for purposes of demonstration onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

[0027] In the claims which follow if I should fail to claim anypatentable feature such failure to claim will be inadvertent and is notto be interpreted as an abandonment or dedication of such feature. Insuch event, upon discovering the failure to claim I shall immediatelyseek to correct it by any proper means.

I claim:
 1. An improved lobby dustpan comprising: a debris collectingbin having an open front for receiving debris; a pivotal handleconnector connected to said bin; a handle having a hand grip area andmultiple arcuate and straight segments connected to said handleconnector in such manner that the hand grip area extends in a horizontalplane in the direction of a closed rear of the debris collecting bin;and a clip suitable to receive a broom handle fastened to said handle atits most forward arcuate location.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthere is at least one arcuate segment of the handle between the firstsegment and the segment suitable to be gripped by a human hand.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein there are a multiplicity of arcuatesegments between the first straight segment and the segment suitable tobe gripped by a human hand.
 4. A handle for a lobby dustpan comprising:an elongate rigid handle in a single plane having a first segment with astraight axis; a first end of said first segment incorporating means toattach a handle to a debris collecting compartment; a second arcuate endof said first segment; a second straight segment with a straight axisdepending from said arcuate end at a fifteen degree angular relationshipto the axis of the first segment; a second arcuate segment terminatingin a horizontal straight end suitable to be gripped by a human hand withan axis at an angular relationship to the axis of the first segment. 5.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the angular relationship is ninetydegrees.